During the War of
1812, he served as captain of HMS Poictiers, during which time
he ineffectually bombarded the town of Lewes, Delaware. More importantly, Poictiers
participated in an action where, four hours after USS Wasp, commanded by Jacob Jones, captured
HMS Frolic, Capt.
Beresford hove in sight, captured Wasp and recaptured
Frolic, and brought both to Bermuda.